Loose-leaf holder



S 1934- c. D. TRUSSELL 1,973,420

LOOSE LEAF HOLDER Filed Jan. 27; 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 r F I 3% anoamtoz $5. m Gum Sept. 11, 1934.

C. D. TRUSSELL LOOSE LEAF HOLDER Filed Jan 27, 1932 2 Sheets- Sheet 2 v 34 11am? Patented Sept. 11, 1934 UNITED STATES LOOSE-LEAF HOLDER Clarence D. Trussell, lPoughkeepsie, N. Y., as-

signor to Trussell Manufacturing Company, Poughkeepsie, N. 12., a corporation or New York Application January 27, 1932, Serial No. 589,090

. 3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in loose-leaf holders of a type especially \adapted for use as a substitute for the old and well-known trick bill-holder of the prior art, one form of which is disclosed in the patent to McKey, No. 1,326,602, of December 30, 1919.

It is an object of the' invention to provide a loose-leaf holder of the above-described character which may be manufactured on a commercial basis at a minimum expense for workmanship and material and at the same time result in the production of a durable and otherwise highly satisfactory article of enhanced appearance.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred and various modified forms of holders embodying the invention:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of holder embodying the invention as it would appear when the covers have been separated at one margin of the holder and opened out or swung about a hinged connection at the opposite margin.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the holder illustrated in Fig. 1, the covers being represented in the relative positions which they occupy when the holder is closed, except that they are shown as having been pulled apart or. separated one from the other in order to more clearly illustrate the links by which they are connected to each other.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the holder illustrated in Fig. 1 represented as it would appear when the covers have been separated at the margin of the holder which forms the hinged connection of the device as illustrated in Fig. 1, the cover edges at the margin which forms the hinged connection as shown in Fig. 3 being the separated edges of the device as illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the elements of the holder which form the connecting links of the holder illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, and the tabs at the ends of the links by which the links may be secured to or incorporated for use as a part of the cover elements of the holder.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of two cover elements which may be used in association with the hinge and tab elements illustrated in Fig. 4 to produce a completed holder.

Fig. 6 is an internal perspective view illustrating a holder embodying the invention in modified form, the cover elements being of metal or other relatively rigid material having marginal flanges clinched over the marginal portions of the tabs at the ends of the links.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view through a portion of one of the covers of the holder illustrated in Fig. 6, the section being taken along the line 7-7 and viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 8 is an internal perspective view of a holder embodying the invention in modified form, and differs from the holder illustrated in Fig. 6 in that it has an inner cover plate to conceal the tab elements of each cover, the marginal flanges of the outer cover elements being clinched over the marginal edges of the inner cover plates.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view through a portion of one of the covers of the holder illustrated in Fig. 8, the section being taken along the line 9--9 and viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 10 is an external perspective view of a holder embodying the invention in modified form, and difiers from those previously illustrated in that it has inner cover elements of relatively rigid material with clips clinched over marginal portions of the tabs at the ends of the hinges, external portions of the tabs and clips being concealed by external cover elements.

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view through a portion of one of the covers of Fig. 10, the section being taken along the line 11--11 and viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 12 is an internal perspective view of a holder embodying the invention in modified form, and differs from those heretofore illustrated in that the tabs at the ends of the links are rela tively narrow as compared with the sizes of the covers, the tabs being confined between and concealed by pairs of internal and external cover elements.

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of one of the covers illustrated in Fig. 12, the section being taken along the line 13-13 and viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 14 is an internal perspective view of a cover embodying the invention in modified form, the tabs at the ends of the links being provided with openings and confined between pairs of cover elements which may be cemented or other-. wise secured together along the margins and Within the spaces defined by the outlines of the openings.

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of one of the covers illustrated inFig. 14, the section being taken along the line 15-15 and viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 16 is an end view of a holder, which differs from any of those thus far illustrated in that the tab elements are of a width equal to the width of the cover elements and the two tab elements of each cover are overlapped and secured together with a pair of boards or stillening elements inserted between them.

Fig. 1'7 is an end view of a holder diflering from any previously illustrated in that the entire system of links and tabs is represented as comprising parts of a single piece of material, additional boards or stiffening elements being used to complete the cover construction.

Fig. 18 is an end view of a holder which is like the holder illustrated in Fig. 17 except that the additional cover elements are disposed externally instead of internally with respect to the tabs at the ends of the connecting links.

Fig.1!) is an internal perspective view of a I holder, the tab and cover construction of which may conform with that-represented in any one of the holders illustrated by Figs. 16 to 18, inelusive.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, a holder embodying the above-described invention may comprise a pair of covers 30, 31, the opposite edges of which are connected in pairs by means of links 32, 33. As more clearly illustrated in Fig. 2, the edge of each cover at one margin of the holder is connected with an edge of the other cover at the opposite margin. This method of connecting the two covers makes it possible to open the holder at either of two margins, the arrangement of the connecting links being such as to hinge the covers together at the margin opposite that at which the holder is opened.

It is because of this possibility of opening the holder at either of two margins that such an article has been commonly used as what has been termed a trick bill-holder. If a bill is inserted in the holder when opened as illustrated in Fig. 1 and the covers are closed together, it will be held between the link 32 and the cover 30. If the holder is then opened in the manner indicated in Fig. 3, the bill will be concealed between the link 32 and the cover 30 and appear to have disappeared. If it is of a length such that its ends extend beyond the margins of the link 32, it may be caused to appear to shift its position from one under the link 32 to one under the links 33 by alternately opening the holder at the opposite edges in a manner well known to those who have manipulated the holder of the prior art to which attention has already been directed.

A holder of this character can, if desired. be made use 'of in advertising. The advertising matter might be printed on one surface of the link 32 as indicated by the letters A D on Fig. 1. On closing the holder and then opening it at its opposite margin, the printing will appear to disappear, although to the casual observer the holder will not be otherwise changed in appearance. The concealed position of the printing has been indicated by representing the letters A D in broken lines in Fig. 3.

In Figs. 4 and 5 are illustrated parts of a holder adapted to be combined and used in constructing an article of improved form, As illustrated in Fig. 4 the link 32 is provided at its ends with a pair of tabs 36, 3'7, and the links 33 terminate in a pair of tabs 34, 35. The tabs 34, 36 may be of a size and shape such as to conform approximately with the size of one of the covers, and the tabs 35, 37 may be of such size and shape as to conform approximately with the dimensions of the other cover.

If desired, the covers proper may comprise separate elements 38, 39, as illustrated in Fig. 5. In assembling the parts of the holder the tab 36 at one end of the link 32 may be passed through the opening formed by the links 33 and tabs 34, 35, and the tabs 35, 3'7 and 34, 36 turned back or towards each other along the meeting lines between the'tabs and the links sothat the free edges of each pair of tabs may be brought together as clearly indicated in Fig. 1.

The tabs 34 to 37, inclusive, may be united or incorporated into the cover construction in any appropriate manner. If a pair of separate cover elements 38, 39 are used, the tabs may be cemented, glued or other secured to the surfaces of the covers to form the finished structure illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. If the covers 38, 39 are of relatively stiff or rigid material, the links and tabs may be of a relatively flexible material so as to readily bend along the meeting lines of the links and tabs and produce hinge-like joints 40. If the links and tabs are made of relatively stifl material, such material may be scored or otherwise weakened to produce such hinge-like joints.

Normally when the holder is closed the links 32, 33 will lie in close contact with the inner surfaces of the opposite cover elements. In Fig. 2 the covers are indicated as having been pulled or stretched apart in order to more clearly indicate the connecting links and their hinge-like attachment at their opposite ends to the opposite edges of the covers. The pairs of tabs may, if desired, be serrated along their meeting edges 41, as indicated in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, or may be of any other irregular form rather than straight, in order to avoid a weakening of the cover construction along such line of meeting.

In the modified form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 6 and '7 the cover elements 38(a) 39(a), are represented as comprising plates of metal or other relatively rigid material, the marginal portions of which are rolled or turned in as at 42 so as to firmly hold the tabs 34(a) to 37(a) in their assembled positions in the covers. The rolled or beaded portions 42 at the margins of the covers may be omitted in locations where the links 32(a) 33(a) merge with the tabs, in order to avoid any interference with the hinge-like connection between the tabs and the links.

When the outer cover elements are constructed of relatively rigid material as in the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 6 and'l, the tabs at the ends of the links may, if desired, be of such form as to meet along straight lines 43 at the centers of the covers.

In Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings is illustrated a modified form of the invention which differs from that shown in Figs. 6 and 7 in that additional cover elements 44 are provided along the inner surfaces of the covers so as to completely conceal the tabs at the ends of the links. These inner cover elements may be of such dimensions as to extend under and be firmly held in their assembled relations with the other elements by the inturned portions 42(1)) of the outer cover elements 39(1)). The links 32(1)), 33(1)), of this holder and their uniting tabs may, if desired, conform with those illustrated in Fig. 6.

In Figs. 10 and 11 is indicated a modified form of holder, the links 32(0) and 33(0) of which may conform with any of those previously described, as, for example, those used in the form loo shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive. The tabs at the ends of the links may be held in their assembled positions in the cover construction by inner cover elements 44(0), Fig. 11, having marginal lugs 45 which may be turned inwardly and clamped down against external marginal portions of the tabs. These lugs 45 may be so spaced about the margins of the covers as to avoid interference with the hinge-like connections between, the links and their attaching tabs. The holder may be finished by applying external cover elements 39(0) to the outer surfaces of the tabs, thereby concealing the tabs and the lugs by means of which they are secured to the inner cover elements.

If desired, the cover construction may be made of suitable pyroplastic material such as is commonly used in making book covers having the appearance of leather. In Figs. 12 and 13 is illustrated a modified form of holder adapted to be constructed of such material. It may comprise links 32(11) and 33(11), the tabs 34(d) to 37(d) of which may be inserted between layers of pyroplastic material which, by the application of heat, may be compressed together and form the outer and inner surface portions 39(d), 44(d) of the covers. These surface portions may by the application of heat and pressure be caused to extend over the marginal portions of the tabs and merge together to form smooth and continuous cover edges, as indicated in Fig. 13 at 46. The tabs 34(d) to 37(d) may, as indicated in Figs. 12 and 13, be relatively narrow, thus permitting large portions of the sheets of pyroplastic material to come into contact between their inner edges as well as along the margins of the cover and be firmly secured together by mutual cohesion.

In Figs. 14 and 15 is illustrated a modified form of holder which differs from the one shown in Figs. 12 and 13 in that the tabs 34(e) to 37(e) at the ends of the links 32(e), 33(e) are of the general form of the tabs illustrated in Fig. 1 but differ therefrom in that material portions are cut out as at 47 to afford spaces within which the inner surfaces of the outer and inner layers 39(e), 44(e) of pyroplastic material may be forced into intimate contact and caused to be united with each other by coherence.

In Figs. 16 to 19 are illustrated a number of other modified forms in accordance with which the invention may be applied.

Fig. 16 illustrates an end view-of a. holder of a form adapted to be satisfactorily constructed in accordance with the principles of the abovedescribed invention if the material used in making the connecting links is such as to be appropriate for use as covering material and lining material for the covers. In this form of the invention the tabs 34(g) to 37(9) at the ends of the links 32(g), 33(g) are made of the full size of a cover and are overlapped and cemented to.

the opposite surfaces of stiffening or filling boards 38(g), 39(g), so as to form the surface covering and lining materials of the covers.

The form of holder illustrated in Fig. 17 differs fromany of those previously described in that the entire system of links 32(h) 33(h) and connecting tabs 34(h) to 37(h) constitute parts of a single piece of material, the tabs corresponding to the tabs 34(g), 36(g) of Fig. 16 being united in a single tab which has been desig nated 34-36(h) in Fig. 17. The cover construction of the holder illustrated in Fig. 17 may, if desired, be reinforced by means of the addition of inner cover elements 38(h), 39(h), indicated.

In Fig. 18 is illustrated a form of holder of which the links 32(1'), 33(1'), and tabs 34(2') 130 37(2') correspond with those used in the holder illustrated by Fig. 17, but the additional cover elements 38(1'), 39(2'), are indicated as having been applied externally instead of internally.

Fig. 19 is an internal perspective view which may be regarded as representative of any one of the holders illustrated in Figs. 16 to 18, inclusive. In Fig. 19 the links 32(lc).*33(lc), are of widths such that when the holder is open the exposed surface of the three links is materially greater than half the internal surface area of one of ed matter if the holder is to be used as an advertising medium. It will be obvious that the relative proportions of the links of the holder illustrated in Fig. 19 are equally applicable to the holders illustrated in any of the other figures of the drawings and that the size, shape and number of links maybe varied to suit the use to be made of the holder.

The invention is not intended to be limited to the specific forms herein selectedfor purposes of illustration but should be regarded as covering modifications and variations thereof within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:-

1. A loose-leaf holder comprising a pair of covers the edges of which at one margin of the holder, when closed, are cross-connected with the edges of the covers at the opposite margin of the holder by links each lying along the inner faces of the covers and hinged to the respective covers at their opposite ends, whereby the holder may be opened at either of two margins by separating the covers and swinging them about a hinged connection at the opposite margin, the connecting links having integral tabs folded inwardly at their opposite ends for use as a part of the cover construction, the combined area of the tabs in each cover being approximately equal to the area of the cover and their forms such that they may be arranged with their adjacent edges abutting and. their outer margins in substantial coincidence with the cover margins.

2. A loose-leaf holder, as defined by claim 1, of which the abutting edges of the tabs are of complemental but irregular outline.

3. A loose-leaf holder comprising a pair of covers the edges of which at one margin of the holder, when closed, are cross-connected with the edges of the covers at the opposite margin of the holder by links each lying along the inner faces of the covers and hinged to the respective covers at their opposite ends, whereby the holder may be opened at either of two margins by separating the covers and swinging them about a hinged connection at the opposite margin, each cover comprising a pair of connected inner and outer cover elements, and the links having attaching tabs at their ends comprising extensions of increased width folded back and firmly secured between and within the margins of said cover elements, the margins of the cover elements being rounded over the margins of the portions of the tabs extending beyond the opposite sides of the links and merged together to make a neat marginal finish for the covers.

CLARENCE D. TRUSSELL. 

